Arbeloa reposted a link on the social media site to a book that called Casillas "a tumour on Real Madrid".

Casillas had previously liked an Instagram post in which a fan had criticised fellow Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez and had also alluded to Arbeloa’s lack of pace when the former Liverpool right-back was called a "cone".

With the social media war between the players seemingly beginning to escalate, Arbeloa has now explained his actions as being a misunderstanding.

“I made the mistake of retweeting the guide without having read all 98 pages word for word,” Arbeloa said.

“Never in my life have I spoken badly about a team-mate, and in this instance, I had no intention to do so through an intermediary.

“I apologise to my team-mate and captain Iker Casillas, and all fans of Real Madrid who may have been offended.”

Arbeloa last year admitted that he and Casillas did not agree about former Real coach Jose Mourinho, which had led to their relationship having become strained.

While the defender was a staunch supporter of the Portuguese tactician, Casillas had a public falling out with Mourinho and failed to play in the final few months of the coach’s reign at the Santiago Bernabeu.